Protect Yourself from Hantavirus & Rodent-Borne Diseases in San Diego

A warning to our neighbors who live near or camp in the fields, mountains, or canyons of San Diego County: wild mice may be cute but the diseases they carry are very, VERY, ugly. Learn how to protect yourself from hantavirus and other rodent-borne diseases.

 

First, the problem. Would you be surprised that seven mice have tested positive for hantavirus so far in 2025? These mice were all captured and tested through the San Diego County Vector Control hantavirus monitoring program. Wild mice contaminate their surroundings by shedding hantavirus in their saliva, urine, and droppings. People are exposed to hantavirus by breathing contaminated dust after disturbing or cleaning rodent droppings or nests in a home, garage, shed, or campground, or by living or working in rodent-infested areas.

 

 

Thrasher Pest supports San Diego County Department of Environmental Health & Quality in its effort to keep you armed with knowledge. Below are links to specific hantavirus topics. Remember the advice for protecting yourself from hantavirus also applies to protecting yourself from most rodent borne diseases including leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV). If you need help securing your home from rodents or cleaning up contamination in the attic or subarea spaces, contact Thrasher Pest.

 

 

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)